Fountain pen



G. F. HAWKES Jan. 6, 1931.

FOUNTAIN PEN Filed May 17. 1929 Emmfw TN ESSES ATTORNEYS over the openend, which cap is provided with Patented Jan. 6, 1.931

,UNITED @STATES-,PATENT@ma GEORGE E. EAMES, or NEWYORK, N. Y., AssieiionE oNEfTHinii-Jo WILLIAM Y Bomen, por NEW rolex, 1v.v y. g EoUNTAI'N.EENrv Application lel` May 17,

This invention vrelates to i fountain v pens,` and has particularreference to certain 1Inprovenients in fountain pens of that type whichare commonly known as safety pens.

As previously devised, this type offountain pen includes a barrelserving as an ink reservoir which is open at one end and closed at theopposite end, together with av nib carrier which permits the nib to berespectively projected from. or retracted within the barrel throughtheopenend, thecarrier having is projected and a cap being employedtoxi'itj means for sealing said open end when' the nib is retracted.Pensof thistype also include means on the carrier Aand on an actuaL tordisposed within the' closed end of the'bar rel for effecting movement ofthe 'carrier to cause retraction and projection ofthe nib.

This means is usually-of the relatively rota+- able type7 such as a pinextending through the carrierand a spiral slotted portion ofthe actuatorwith the ends engaging in a longitndinal `slot in the barrel, togetherwith an f externally disposed manipulator which extends throughthefclosed endV of the barrel. Pens ofthe type heretofore outlined areopen to certain objectionsand possess certain defects,l notably, thetendency of the same vto leak atthe point where :the externally disposed manipulator extends through vandrotates in the barrel use. f I iln order to overcome the'above recited disadvantages and defects, thepresent invention broadly comprehends in a fountain pen of the safetytype, means preferably carried by the cap, which is engageable with thenib carrier through the open lend of the pen Yfor manipulating the sameto effect the projection and retraction of the nib.- 4

More specifically, the invention cont-ein# n platesin a safetly pen ofthe samegeneral type specified, means'such as a `key which is due towear after limited preferably carried bythe .cap 'and which. is

vadaptedto extend throughthe openend of the barrel for engagement withthe nib carrier to eii'ect the projection and retraction of the uib bythe actuator upon relative rotation of closed endv of' L Otherobjects ofthe in iurefl:

der l'which serves as 1929, serial $3,791.

manipulating means extending! through the the cap may be dispensed with,

whereby said end can be permanently sealed leakage. V

against the possibilityof y t y ventionreside inthe comparativesimplicity l y produced andassembled and the general eiiiciencyl derivedtheren .froin. means for sealing the open end when the nib Vith the'above recited and'other objectsin which there is zexhibited one exampleor em- Lbo'dimentwofL the invention, While the claims of Vconstructionand i inodeof operation of theY pen,i the economy with which `itfmay bevViena: reference`.is hadto the following de-v scriptioiijand'accompanying drawings', in

the'invention,` illustrating the nib retracted and the cap applied'.v

Figure 2 is a similar view with the nib projected andthe cap removed.

' Figure 3 is a' longitudinal sectional view 'throughf the cap removed`from the barrel. j Figurea is a `transverse sectional view takenapproximately on-the `line yindicated at Y 4`4 iii-Figure l.

Figure is aY similarview taken approximately ontheline' indicatedatVI--cin Fig- Referring@ the.'amwingsbyiCharacters' ofreference;lO'designates tliebarrel or body :of the 'pen whichfis of yelongated 'tubular formation and which is 'provided with an open end11i-having 'a reduced internal diameter l2 defining an internalfrnsto-c'onical shoula valve seat. jTh e outer end of the barrelisformed with an external frustofco'nica'l wall 174 also serving asa'valve seat. The opposite end 15 of the barrell() is closed inl any'suitable plug.- 16 threaded"thereinto;f'l The plug carries-acylindrical sleeve 17 whichprojects axially manner, Asuch as by ainward of the'barrel and said sleeve is de- .signed 3to receive andguide the;` rear end 18' ofa nib'carrier 19; The 'nib carrier may have:integrally formed 'therewith "or Y'otherwise provided, a feed pieceorelement 20- ofthe too f conventionaltype, over which the nibz21 isarranged and held in place by a collar 22, it being understood that thenib and feed piece extend beyond the collar. For the major portion ofits length, the collar isof a diameter approximately equal to-theredu'ced diameter12 atgtlie open end of .thepenbarrel. At its rearend, however, the collar is provided with an enlarged outer peripheralflange' 23v deiining ati-its' juncti'irewith the ina` jor portionof thesleeve, afwfrustoconical shoulder 24 constituting a y'valveV portionwhich is adapted to seat against the internal shoulder or valve seat 13ofthe pen barrel for establishing a .seal Vatthis point to `preventleakage when the nib is projected to the p en barrel through the fopenend 11', a radial.

inwardly projecting pin'26V is provided adjacent the free end of thesleeve 17, and said pin cooperates with Va spiral groove 27cut ,orotherwise formed in the rear end-of the carrier. Obviously, relativerotation of the barrel and carrier 19 dueJto'the pinrand groove.connection will effect laxial movement .of said-barrel and carrier.In'` theY instant ease, the; means for holding lthe vcarrier againstrotation while rotating'the barrel, which isthe preferred manner. ofoperating the pen, or if desired,i`or rotating the carrier while,holding the barrel stationary, consists ot a key or'pin 28Whichis'inserted through` the open end. oi the barrel and which isdejsigned to be received by a kleywaymr' socket 29 formed in the carrier.,The keyandkeyf .waymust of necessity be ,of neng-,circular Jior-Vmation. and, as l`speciiicallyillustrated,the

key' and keyway are disclosed as cfa square shape incross 'section'. Thekey or pinV 28 j barrelgwhen the threads 32 have been-.,com-V `ispreferably `rigidly Aanchored tothe pen-.cap 3 0 and projects axiallythereof from'the iiitermediate solid portion 31 of the-same.l "The .canV3G Ais/pio Yided withinternal threads 82 which yare designed' tomatewith the ekternal threads 33 on the barrel, whereby the capis retainedin .place thereon'. `As isfcustoinary rin fountainpensof the safetytype, the1cap is provided with avalveelement 34 which Vprotrudes fromthe, solid portion 31 oftherfcapg @and which'isadapted to` yseat' on`the rustolconical end wall'jlllof the open Vend 11 ofthe pletelyscrewed home on .the threadsiw'lli capV 30. inY the .present 'instancemay Vbe profvided witha sofcket 35 which is designed to,affordimeanswhereby the cap-mayl be assoo the vbarrel and cap.-i'espectivelyciated with the closed end of'thebarrel when the pen is inactive use.V In view of the fact that the key or pin 28 may be insertedin the keyway or socket 29 in a plurality ofdit`- Jerent relativepositions, it is obvious that a number of threads 32fand correspondingto the number ofpositions in which the key may be inserted inthe keyway,must be pro- Y i vided and accordingly, as illustrated,- tour sets ofthreadsv VSZeiitl 33am provided to'insure proper engagement of the capthreads with the barrel threads, irrespective of the position inV whichthe key is inserted in the keyWX- 1.

i lnview the Vfactthat the threads 32 and 33 havea pitchfwhich doesnotmake for .rapideeding or relativeP movement of' the parts, the spiralgroove 27 isformepd with a setotV convolutions 27a u-'liicheoriespond tothevpitch of the ,threads 82 and 33 and with .a separate setoieconvolutions 27 b whichl are of a greater pitch. than theyconvolutioiis 27a. This, therefore,V permits .the carrier-19 andnib-'to be rapidly-projvected'aiiter the threads 82 'and'A 33 havebeendisengaged, it being understood that vduring the'finitial. projectinfr@operation the movement ot the nib coincides with'the relative/movementof the barrel .with respect .to the cap. Likewise,

in retracti'ng` the nib within the barrel, the Vinitial retractedmovement isV more. rapid 'than the subsequent -movementafter the threads32 and 33 engage.

y ln operation, .with thepen in closed condition, as illustrated inFigure 1, the user preferably grasps and holds the cap BOstaclockwisedirection, asviewed from the bot tom end'. This motion` causes thesleeve 17 'which turnstherewith to'inove the pin 26 in the convolutions270%of ythe spiral groove.

ytionary andlrotates the barrel ina counter- Y I 27, effecting anoutward aXial inovenient'oi the VVVcarrier lQ'and pen nibj21, at thesaine time unscrewingthe threads32 andr83 on cap and barrel threads 32and 33 are disengaged, Athe pin 26 entering the convolutioiis 27o of thespiral groove 2?*orcesthe pen vWhen the l barrel 10 away from theicapand downward-` vly; with respect to the actuatori19 -which is ieldagainst rotation by the key 28 engaging .in the keyway 29. Obviously,the downward movement of the barrel 1G exposes the nib v2l .until theinternal shoulder or seat 13- engages. the truste-conical should-er orvalve element 24.01z the collar 22.Y The user has Vthen only to separatethe .cap and barrel toV have 4the* pen in condi-tionfor activeuse forvrThesocketed endV 35 of the cap Y writing. may then be teles-c,opicallyarranged over the closed-end ofthebarrel. .Nith the cap removed and thepen vin writing condition as illustrated in Figure 2,lthe `pen may beclosed by engaging the cap over the nib end.,

at which time. the'key .or Vpin 28 enters the keyivayior socket 29. Theoperation. is -reversed and the barrel is turned vin a clockwisedirection', as viewed from'the bottom of Figure 2. The cap is heldstationary and by rotating the barrell the actuator pin26 of the sleeve17 follows the convolutions 27?) of the spiral groove 27 ,j causing thebarrel to? move rapidly into the cap until it vreaches the point Wherethe threads 32 and 3 3 reengage. At this point, the pin'passes fromv theconvolutions27?) to theconvolutions 27a so that the remaining turningmovement ofthe barrel effects a relative movementAo-t the same withrespect to the cap coincident with the screwingoperationof the threads.

32 and 33.' This movement finally causes the valve element 34 toseat on?the frustoconical end ll of the barrel whereby 'the penis in a closedsealed condition. yObviously, this construction and Varrangement `avoidsthe necessity of having a rotating eletion which permits the removal .ofthejcap so that the barrel ofthe'pen can then be filled With ink byintroducing 'the sameV through the upper open end of the barrel.

After theilling operatiom it is, of course,

understood that the cap and barrel are again associated With the keyextending into the'keyvvay 290i the carrier andthe pen is eitherprojected orretracted as desired. In order to set up a suilicientrictionvbetween the rear end 18 of the carrier and the. sleeve 17,- thesaid sleeve'may be provided With longitudinally extendingcircumferentiallyVV spaced slits 37' providing therebetrveen'portionswhich may be inherently deflected to produce a'tension between the innerpe riphery of the sleeve andthe ery of the rear enjd 18d. f Y

In view of the fact that a small quantity of ink may adhere to the key28, a depresouter periphsion or pocket 38 is Vformed in the valve 34 atthe point Where the key 28 projects therefrom. 'Ihis will prevent ink`Which adheres to the key from spreading over the seating face of thevalve; Y v l Y w The innermost terminal 2700i the convolutions 275 ofthe spiral groove 27 is of a lesser pitch or practically straight sothat the pressure exerted on the pen nib 'When writing prevents anypossibility of inward movement of the carrier and resulting leak'-including a barrel having an open end and a closed sealed-end and havingan external thread adjacent its open end; a cap having `internalthreadsadapted to engage the eX- external seat 13.,

' What is claimed is:

Y 1.xIn` a 4fountain penfofpthe safetyvtype Whichincludes abarrelhavinga closed end j andan open end, provided With an internal vvalve seat7 anib, a. nib carrier having afvalve shoulder and a spiral groove, aradialpin carried by and disposedvvithin the 'barrel operative to movethe nib respectively'to projected and retracted positions uponrelativerotation ofthe barrel and carrier'vvhereby to respectively seat andunseat the valve shoul- Vage loetvveenv the va1veshoulder24and thederWith respect to the internal valve seat; 'A Y means insertablethrough the open end of the; barreland engageable With the lcarrier, to

keftect said vrelative rotation, said means con# sisting of a keysonongrcircularcro'sfs sectional shapeand a socketedportion of thecarrierof `a Vcrosssectional shape corresponding to ,thefkey f and adapted` to:receive the same.l

2. Inga fountain peny including a: barrel i `constitutingan inkreservoirhaving a-closed end anda-rippen endprovided With an 1n ternal valveseat, a nib, a nib carrier having a valve shoulder'and mounted for axialmove- `mentl Within the barrel t0 move the nib through the open endrespectively to' pro-- jected and-retracted positions and to seat andunseat the valve shoulder, coacting devices -on the barrelandcarrierforgeecting relative Vaxial movements thereof upon relative rotationstherebetiveen,y a cap and coacting meanson the cap and carrier for`manipulat-v ing. the pen to effect theactuation of the enacting devicesron said barrel an'd'carrier, said means consisting of akey carriedbythe cap and an axially socketed portion of the nib carriery Withinvwhich the Vkey is engage-V able Jfor turning Athe same. v 3. In afountain-penoffthe safetytype includingV a barrel having an openend andaclosedfsealed' end and having anexternal thread adjacent its open end; acap having internalVthreadsadapted'to engage the eX- ternallyl threadedportion of the barrel and provided'wvith a valve adapted to seal the yoenrend ot' the barrel the combination with a `nib carrier having aspiral groove'and'a Vv radial inwardly projecting pin on the barrelcoactinG' With `said s iral Groove toeffect `upon'frelative rotation kofthe barrel andrcarlriez; axial relative'movements of thelnib car rierfand barreh' said nib carrier groovefinv'cluding convolutions 'coinciding.with the pitch oi'fthe barrel'and cap engaging threads and`convolutions oi'greater pitch than said barrel andcapengaging,threads-l5A 4. In a 'fountain pen ofthe safety type ternally.threaded portion oli-'the barrel and vprovided with avvalve adaptedtoseal the vopen Yend of .thefbarreljthe combination with a nib carrierhaving a spiral groove and a radial inwardly projectingpin on the barrelcoacting3 with said spiral groove4 to effect Vupon'relative rotation ofthe barrel Vand carrier, axialrelative movements of the nib vcarrierandharreh. saidV nib carrier groove including convolutions coinciding withthe pitch of the barrel and cap engaging threads and convolutions ofgreater pitch'th'an said barrel and cap engaging threads'andcoacting'means carried respectively by the cap and -thenib carrier toefectrelative rotation between said carrier and barrel upon relativerotation of the cap and barrel.

5. :In a fountain pen ofthe safety type Vwhich inclu-des a barrelhaving'a closed end anden open end providedwith an internal valvefseat,a nih, a nih carrierhaving a valve Yshoulder and a spiral grooveraradial pin carried by and disposed within the barrel opera` Y tive tomove the nibrespectivelyto .projected respect to the internal valve seatnieansinand retracted positions upon relativerotation of the barrelandrarrier whereby to respec-r tively seatand unseatthevalve shoulderiwith i -sertable through the open endo-f ,the barrel adapted rtoi'eceivethesanie, the said nib carand engageable with the carrier to' effectsaid relative rotation, .said means consisting of a lrey of non-circularcross sectional shape and a socketed portion of the carrier Yof a crosssectional shape corresponding to the key and rier groove jhaving ,itsinner extremity of lesser pitch than the pitch` of the remaining4convolutions for,preve1iting movement of the .carrier by the writingpressure of the nih.

6. In a fountain pen of theV safety type which includes a barrel havinga closed end and an open end provided with an internal valve sea@anib,`a nib carrier having a valve ,shoulder and a spiral groove. aradial pin carried by and disposed within the barrelropeiative to movethe nib respectively to projected and retractedV positions upon relativerotation of the barrel and Vcarrier whereby to respectively. seatandunseat the Vvalve shoul` der withrrespect to the internal valveY seat;means insertable through the open end of the barrel and engageable withthe carrier toef- 'Y feet said relative rotationi said'means con`sisting of a key of non-circular crosssectional" #shape and a socketedportion of the carrier ofaV cross sectional shape corresponding to the K`liey and'adap'ted to receive the same, the said nib carrier groovehavin-g its inner extremity of such a Apitchras to prevent'inwardmovenient of the'carrier by theivritingpressure.

7. In a fountain pen of the safetyv type including'a barrel having an`open end Aand a closed sealed end and having an external thread adjacentits ,openl end; a capfhaving end of the barrel;k the combination with anib carrier having a spiral groove and aradial inwardly projectingpin onthe barrel coact-` ing with said spiral groove to .effectff uponrelative rotation `ofthe barrel and carrier,V

8. In ay fountain of the safety type includinga barrel having anopenendgand a closed sealed endV and having an external thread adjacentits open1 kend a :cap .having internal: threads adapted Ltoenga'ge the-eX- ternally threaded portion of tliebarrel and provided with avalveadaptedf-to seal `the open end., of the-harrel,thecomhin-ation-witlr a n ib carrier Lhaving a spiral'grooveand a radialinwardly projecting pin on the barrel coacting with said spiral grooveto effect `uponrelative rotation of'thevbarrel'andrarrier, axialrelativemovements of thejnib carrier and barrel, said nib carrier grooveincluding convolutions coinciding with the pitch of the barrel andcap-engaging threads and lconvolutions of greater pitch than saidbarreland cap engaging threads an dcoacting means carried respectivelyby the cap and the nib carrier to effect relative .rotation between saidcarrier and barrel upon relative rotation of the cap and barrel, saidmeans consisting of-a multi-faced axially projecting keyV on the capVand .a multiffaced axial socket'in the nib carrier and said enactingcap and/parallel threads being equal in number to the number` ofposition-s in .which the key and socketY may he interengaged. Y 1 v uSigned at New Yorkjin. the county ofNew York and Sta-te of New York thisj l-5tl i day of May,1929. Y v

- IjIr-UVKES.;y

internal threadsadapted to'engage the'fexternally .threaded portion kofthe barrel and Y' provided withaffvalve adapted to sealtheopen Liza

